Celtic Football Club was formed back in November 1887 but it wasn't until 28th May 1888 that they played their first match....and it was against Rangers. There was no Scottish League in those days - that didn't start until the 1890/91 season - so the season for Rangers was the Scottish Cup, Glasgow Cup, various Charity Cups and a host of friendly matches. In total Rangers played 45 matches in the 1887/88 season the last of which was the friendly match away to Celtic. Rangers didn't field their strongest side while Celtic had a team of borrowed players but it was Celtic who ran out 5-2 winners in front of a crowd of around 2,000. Neil McCallum was the first goalscorer for Celtic who on that Monday evening played in white shirts with a green collar. From those small beginnings the 'Old Firm' local derby developed into one of the world's most famous and competitive fixtures. Worth a look if you want some history and detail!
https://www.celticfc.com/teams/
The first League season saw different problems, especially for Celtic. In the early parts of the season, the Bhoys found themselves on negative points! This is because they were deducted points for playing an ineligible player, and this effectively ended their hopes of winning the first ever League title.
In the late-1880s, teams played a mixture of friendlies as well as local, regional and national cup competitions. The Scottish Cup was Scotland’s pinnacle trophy, the one all clubs aspired to win. However, regional events such as the Glasgow Cup, were of significant interest, probably akin now to a League Cup victory. As evidence of the Glasgow Cup’s importance, after Celtic had won it and played Hearts, who were Scottish Cup holders, this fixture was described by one newspaper as being a game to decide the “Championship of Scotland.”
The 2025/26UEFA Conference League Final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano will take place at Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig, Germany. Following finals in Albania, Czechia, Greece and Poland, the UEFA Conference League comes to Germany for the 2025/26 decider between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D. is often abbreviated toRayo(Spanish for "thunderbolt"), is a Spanish professional football club based in thePuente de Vallecas district of Madrid.The club competes in La Liga, the top flight of Spanish Football.
Founded on 29 May 1924, the club is known for its sociocultural tradition, recognized for representing thebarrio-local culture and itsworking-classstatus. Its home matches have been played at the 14,708-capacityCampo de Fútbol de Vallecasstadium since 1976.
Rayo Vallecano home stadium Vallecas.
During its history, Rayo has spent 22 seasons in the top-flight, and has played in two European competitions, the UEFA in the 2000-1 season and the 2025-6UEFA Conference League The club won the2017-18 SegundaDivision. By historical performance, Rayo is the third best club in Community of Madrid, afterReal MadridandAtlético Madrid.
Establishment and early years:
Rayo Vallecano was founded on 29 May 1924 in the hometown of Prudencia Priego, wife of the club's first president Julián Huerta. Greatly inspired by the River PLate (a Football club from Argentina), in 1949, after an agreement with Athletic Madrid, a red diagonal stripe was added to the team's kit, and the club reached Tercera Division for the first time in its history.
Yo-yo years: One of the perennial yo-yo clubs of Spanish football, and always in the shadow of the two biggest clubs in the city (Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid), Rayo Vallecano spent many years during the 1980s and 1990s moving back and forth betweenLa LigaandSegunda División. The 1983–84 season was the worst during the 1980s. The club finished in the last position in Segunda División and was relegated to Segunda División B.
Due to a tragedy, Rayo Vallecano turned out to beLaurie Cunningham's last club; he was killed in a car crash just outside Madrid in 1989, after a sole season. He had recently won anF.A. Cupwinners medal withWimbledon F.C.in England the previous year and had also represented neighbours Real Madrid for four years.
They appeared to have consolidated their top flight status after promotion in 1999, and the team's most successful season came in 2000-01 reaching the Quartre-Finals of the UEFA Cup, going out only to eventual runners-up Alaves; Rayo finished ninth in the previous competition, but entered the competition via the "Fair Draw". (basically a "second chance"!
However, the club shortly thereafter fell on hard times, enduring successive relegations in 2003 and 2004. For 2005-06 manager Michel, a Real Madrid legend in the 1980s and '90s, was hired.
Rayo finished the 2006-7 season in second place in Segulnda Division B, winning the promotion play off semi-final but losing in the final to (1–2 aggregate). The following campaign, the team returned to division two after a four-year absence after a victorious run in the playoffs, disposing of Benidorm in the semi-final and Zamora in the last game 2–1 on aggregate.,
In its first season's back in the second tier of Spanish football, Rayo finished comfortably, often either in or just outside the promotion places. In 2010-11, the team ranked in second position and returned to the top flight after an eight-year absence, only trailing champions Real Betis in spite of very serious economic problems.
2011–: La Liga and Segunda División yo-yo
Diego Costa with Rayo Vallecano in 2012Chart of Rayo Vallecano league performance 1929–present
In March 2014, Huawei agreed to sponsor Rayo Vallecano for two league matches against Real Madrid and Athletic In August 2015, Rayo Vallecano purchased the majority of Oklahoma City FC, a NASL expansion franchise which had yet to officially play a game renaming the club to Rayo OKC, despite the stadium increasingly needing work. It was the first ever entry of a Spanish club into the American sports market and mirrored a 2013 sponsorship agreement with Qbao in terms of expanding the club's profile overseas. Rayo OKC folded after a year due to Rayo Vallecano's relegation from La Liga and a dispute between the co-owners led to less finance for the U.S. side.
In May 2016, Rayo Vallecano were relegated to the Segunda División, finishing 18th in the 2015-16 La Liga season. This ended their five-year streak in La Liga, their longest ever stay in the top-flight. Their first season back in the second division was a poor one, with both problems on the field and off, and they finished in 12th position. Rayo went through three managers in the 2016-17Segunbda Division season before finally settling on club legend Michel. He revived the club from the relegation places to 12th, almost making the playoffs.
At the start of the 2017-18 Segunda Division season, the club appointed their recently retired goalkeeper David Cobeno as the sporting director of the club. They secured their promotion with a 1–0 over CD Lugo with one game remaining. That season the club won Segunda División with 76 points in 42 games.
Rayo players during an away La Liga fixture versus Real Valladolid in January 2019
On 20 March 2019, the club appointed Paco Jemez as head coach,and on 4 May, Rayo was relegated back to the Segunda División after losing 4–1 to Levante UD eventually finishing last.
In August 2020, the club appointed AndoniIraolo as head coach. They finished sixth and won promotion in the playoffs against Girona FC; despite losing the first leg at home 1–2, the team came back to win the second leg 2–0 away to claim a place in La Liga for 2021-2. In February 2022, Iraola's side defeated RCD Mallorca to make the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey; it was the second time in club history and first since 1982. The club finished 12th in La Liga. This was a big achievement as they were by far the league's smallest team, and most had predicted that they would be relegated. They once again qualified for European football after 24 years, entering into the UEFA Conferen ce League Play-offs by finishing 8th in 2014-5 season. They went on to make their debut appearances in a major UEFA competition group or league phase by reaching the 2025-6 season, Conference League phase. They finished the league phase in fifth place (out of 36) qualifying directly to the round of 16, and subsequently qualified for their first-ever European semifinal and final.
Previous names.
Agrupación Deportiva El Rayo (29 May 1924 – 13 November 1947)
Agrupación Deportiva Rayo Vallecano (13 November 1947 – 1995)
Temperatures continued to soar across the Bank Holiday weekend following the hottest day of the year so far, last Saturday. A high of 30.5C was recorded at Frittenden in Kent, beating Friday's maximum temperature of 28.4C at Heathrow in London, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge.
The Met Office said it was very rare for the UK to record temperatures above 30C in May, with the last time being on 25 May 2012. The heat is forecast to intensify throughout the long weekend, reaching heatwave criteria in a number of locations. Daytime highs are forecast to reach the upper 20s Celsius in many areas, with the low 30s Celsius likely in the week ahead. Amber heat health alerts remain in effect for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England. Amber alerts mean there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services, with children and those aged over 65 at risk of negative health implications. The remainder of England is under yellow heat health alerts, meaning adverse weather is "likely to affect vulnerable groups". The Heatwave is likely to be declared officially on Sunday!!
The first heatwaves of 2026 were declared on Sunday, as a number of areas are expected to reach their third day above the heatwave threshold, including in London and the south-east, as well as Cardiff. Locally in the south Midlands and south-east England, hit 30C again on Sunday. Days exceeding 30C - known as "very hot" days by the Met Office - used to be much rarer.
During the last decade, the number of these "very hot" days more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office. Meanwhile, the cloud that has been lurking across southern Scotland and Northern Ireland should clear and whilst not as hot it will at least be sunny.
On Monday the forecast proved to be the hottest May day on record, with temperatures reaching 33C in south-east England. There is a small chance of the mercury peaking at 34C. By surpassing 32.8 C, it will break the May temperature record set on the Late May Bank Holiday in 1944.But take note if you are planning to visit the east coast of England - you may come across some mist.
On Tuesday, then today Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, temperatures which have been fairly muted for Scotland and Northern Ireland begin to rise. Glasgow could reach the low to mid 20s. Western Northern Ireland could also see the warmth approaching the mid 20s. The UK weather varies a lot naturally, but this early season heat is consistent with the long-term trend of rising temperatures as a result of human-caused climate change.
What is extraordinary about this heatwave is not only the level of heat but its duration. The current forecast points to another hot day on Tuesday with highs up to 33C. After a break in the heat at midweek, temperatures will rise once again potentially reaching the high 20s or even 30C. SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR PALACE's FINAL8pm today at the Red Bull Arena!! Why not have a look on the www for the local weather??
Opened in 2004, it is currently the home stadium for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, with FC Sachsen Leipzig having previously used the stadium from its opening until 2009. Due to UEFA sponsorship regulations, the stadium is known as the RB Arena for European matches.
Venue:Red Bull Arena
‧
UEFA Conference League -
Final
Crystal Palace versus Rayo Vallecano kick off 20:00
At half time at the Champions' League Final at the Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul, AC Milan were leading Liverpool 3-0. Liverpool were poor and were going to get hammered!! In one of the most amazing turn-rounds however, second half goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso put Liverpool level. There were no more goals in extra time and so it went to penalties. And yep, Liverpool won 3-2 to complete what was genuinely The Miracle of Istanbul.
Other Honours: Southern League Champions: 1899/1900: Western League Champions: 1903/1904: London League Premier Division Champions: 1902/1903: Football League South 'C' Division Champions: 1939/1940: Football League South Champions: 1943/1944, 1944/1945: Southern District Charity Cup Winners: 1901/1902, 1904/1905 (joint), 1906/1907: Dewar Shield Winners: 1901/1902, 1933/1934: London Challenge Cup Winners: 1910/1911, 1928/1929: Anglo-Italian League Cup-Winners Cup Winners: 1971/1972: Norwich Charity Cup Winners: 1919/1920: Norwich Hospital Charity Cup Winners: 1946/1947, 1949/1950 (joint); Ipswich Hospital Charity Cup Winners: 1951/1952 (joint): Costa Del Sol Tournament Winners: 1965, 1966: Nolia Cup (Sweden) Winners: 1977: Japan Cup Winners: 1979: Sun International Challenge Trophy (Swaziland) Winners: 1983: Peace Cup (Korea) Winners: 2005: Vodacom Challenge (South Africa) Winners: 2007: Feyenoord Jubileum Tournament (Holland) Winners: 2008: Barclays Asia Trophy (China) Winners: 2009: International Champions Cup Winners: 2018: Audi Cup Winners: 2019.
Tottenham’s cockerel badge is a nod to the club's namesake, Sir Henry "Harry" Hotspur, whofamously rode into battle with spurs on his heels and enjoyed the sport of cockfighting. The club adopted the cockerel-on-the club's football emblem, to symbolize a fierce fighting spirit. I expect there is a local five-a-side tournament that they have snatched too!!!
The club is named after Harry Hotspur (Sir Henry Percy), a 14th-century English nobleman featured in Shakespeare'sHenry IV. He was notorious for his aggressive, attacking nature on the battlefield. The Stadium Mascot:The symbol was popularized in 1909 when a former player crafted a bronze cast of a cockerel standing on a football. It famously sat atop the roof of their historic White Hart Lane Stadium and remains a fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to this day. The Fighting Spirit: Because gamecocks (fighting roosters) were fitted with sharp metal "spurs," the club embraced the bird as a clever representation of their never-say-die attitude.
Manchester United didn't enjoy the best of seasons in 2021/22 but when on this day the BBC announced, on their screen, that 'Manchester United are rubbish', it came as a bit of a shock to the viewing public. The text announcing that opinion popped up on the news ticker at the bottom of the screen during a tennis update that Tuesday morning. Later that day the BBC apologised to any United fans who might have been offended by the comment. They said that someone learning how to operate the ticker - presumably a Man City fan!! - had been writing 'random things' and a technical problem had seen that test ticker appear on the live screen for a short period. Ouch!
AND.....Steven Gerrard made his first-team debut for Liverpool on November 29th 1998 in a Premier League match against Blackburn at Anfield and on 24th May 2015 he played his 504th and last League match for the club. He scored Liverpool's only goal at Stoke but it wasn't a memorable last game for the Reds' legend. In fact, the match saw a scoreline he hadn't experienced in any of his previous 503 League matches for the club (and hadn't happened in his lifetime) - a 6-1 defeat!
Celtic Football Club was formed back in November 1887 but it wasn't until 28th May 1888 that they played their first match....and it was against Rangers. There was no Scottish League in those days - that didn't start until the 1890/91 season - so the season for Rangers was the Scottish Cup, Glasgow Cup, various Charity Cups and a host of friendly matches. In total Rangers played 45 matches in the 1887/88 season the last of which was the friendly match away to Celtic. Rangers didn't field their strongest side while Celtic had a team of borrowed players but it was Celtic who ran out 5-2 winners in front of a crowd of around 2,000. Neil McCallum was the first goalscorer for Celtic who on that Monday evening played in white shirts with a green collar. From those small beginnings the 'Old Firm' local derby developed into one of the world's most famous and competitive fixtures. Worth a look if you want some history and detail!
